CC Sabathia Had ‘No Other Option’ and Entered Rehab

While many fans were upset that the star player chose to miss playing in the playoffs, Sabathia says he had “no other option…but to get help.”

Sabathia, 35, spoke to “Good Morning America” co-anchor Robin Roberts in his first interview since completing his stay in rehab last Friday. Sabathia went into rehab in order to treat his alcoholism.

“It was just the time,” Sabathia said of his decision to leave the Yankees on the day before the American League Wild Card elimination game against the Houston Astros.

“I know it was a bad time of the season, but I woke up on that Sunday morning in Baltimore and there was no other option for me but to get help,” Sabathia said.

As other sources have noted, during his last bender, “(Sabathia) drank every day last week apart from the day he pitched. The tipping point was Friday when he was at the stadium. He carried on drinking Saturday.”

“I love baseball and I love my teammates like brothers, and I am also fully aware that I am leaving at a time when we should all be coming together for one last push toward the World Series,” Sabathia said in a statement released before his treatment. “It hurts me deeply to do this now, but I owe it to myself and to my family to get myself right. It wasn’t to take control of my disease, and I want to be a better man, father and player.”

After completing his stay at the treatment center last week, Sabathia had this to say in regards to his alcoholism: “I understand where, you know, fans would be upset and people would not understand. If it was my knee or if it was anything else, then people wouldn’t have a problem with it. You know, it being alcoholism, it was tough for people to swallow, but it’s the same thing.”

Sabathia claims that he is excited and prepared to play in the 2016 season alongside his teammates.

Sabathia made the right decision to seek help before it was too late. As with any alcohol intervention, it must not have been the easiest decision to make, but it is one that will save his life.